title: Posterolateral bone graft of the tibia.
abstract: A series of 30 high-energy tibial diaphyseal fractures in 30 patients were treated with posterolateral bone grafting (1984-1987). All of the fractures were open, a majority being Gustillo Type III with significant soft-tissue injury, comminution, or segmental bone loss. The common mechanisms of injury included motorcycle, pedestrian versus automobile, and motor vehicle accidents. Nineteen of 30 fractures were treated with a posterolateral bone graft within six months of the initial injury, and 11 of 30 were grafted after established nonunion. Union was obtained in 29 of 30 fractures (97%). Healing time from the time of grafting ranged from three to 12 months, with an average of 4.7 months. One patient had a below-knee amputation because of uncontrolled chronic osteomyelitis, drainage, and nonunion. Posterolateral bone grafts consistently produced rapid healing of delayed union as well as established nonunion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo 43699.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Ebraheim
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology